The Commission announced the winners of the 2026 European Green Cities Awards on Wednesday (27 Nov), with Guimarães (Portugal) taking the European Green Capital prize and the European Green Leaf award for smaller cities going to Águeda (Portugal) and Vaasa (Finland).
The 2026 European Green Capital winner was awarded to Guimarães based on its commitment to achieving continuous improvement regarding all sustainable challenges and developments, as well as realising comprehensive results in all seven environmental management areas.
The jury recognised that Guimarães has successfully made sustainability part of its culture, with support available across the whole community, including to citizens, academia, and the private sector.
It was also impressed with how the city connects creativity with science and data. With its heartfelt enthusiasm, “One Planet City” motto, and strong connections nationally and in Europe, the city can help inspire other cities to maintain their ambitions and continue learning, improving, and progressing to a sustainable future for all.
The jury commended all Green Capital finalist cities for their exceptional accomplishments and dedication. They recognised the tough competition among three outstanding candidates and acknowledged that they are an inspiration for other cities.
Both Green Leaf winners, Águeda and Vaasa, impressed the jury with their unique approaches to engaging their communities in the green transition.
Águeda was praised for its comprehensive and structured approach to sustainability, with numerous inspiring measures for all environmental areas. Its extensive communication and participatory strategy is supported by online dashboards available to the whole community.
The jury also recognised art and culture as powerful driving forces behind the sustainable transition. As a Green Leaf winner, the city can count on its local “Green Ambassadors” and is well-connected, which enables it to help other cities in Portugal and Europe.
The other winning city, Vaasa, was commended for its bold ambition to be “Carbon Neutral Vaasa 202X”, using its growing energy sector as an incubator and driver for systemic sustainable transitions.
The jury recognised “the Nordic energy capital” for raising awareness among citizens through energy education from a very young age, thanks to which sustainability becomes ingrained in the community.
As a Green Leaf winner, the city will continue to be a showcase for using innovative technological solutions to empower and make its citizens greener.
The jury praised all four Green Leaf finalist cities for their dedication with limited funds. They genuinely connected the local community and the city’s administration, and are warmly welcomed into the European Green Leaf network as an example to other similar cities.
Guimarães will be granted a financial prize of €600,000. The award will contribute to the city’s actions aimed at increasing its environmental sustainability as the 2026 European Green Capital. Águeda and Vaasa, the 2026 European Green Leaf winners, will each receive a financial prize of €200,000.
A total of 21 cities competed in this edition of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf awards. An international panel of seven independent urban sustainability experts evaluated the applications and shortlisted seven finalist cities.
The finalists were interviewed by an international jury comprising representatives from the European Commission, the European Committee of the Regions, the European Environment Agency, the Secretariat of the EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and Eurocities.
Speaking on the announcement, Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič said:
I congratulate the laureate cities of Guimarães, Águeda, and Vaasa for their commitments to ambitious environmental goals and for inspiring others.
The European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards are a recognition, but also a responsibility. Cities are key players in advancing the green transition and I commend the continuous engagement of all participants in promoting a clean and healthy environment so that their citizens enjoy a better quality of life.
Background
With over 70% of Europeans living in urban areas, cities play an important role in the implementation of the European Green Deal, leading to an environmental and economic transformation, a low-carbon, resource-efficient, clean, sustainable, and resilient society.
The European Green Capital Award was launched in 2010 by the European Commission to encourage cities to become greener and cleaner, and thereby to improve the quality of life for their citizens. The Award recognises cities that are committed to achieving the European Green Deal’s ambitious goals and more specifically the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Biodiversity Strategy.
The European Green Leaf Award was established to recognise the environmental efforts and achievements of smaller towns and cities (20,000–100,000 inhabitants).
Being a European Green Capital or a European Green Leaf city brings many benefits: from increasing the city’s profile to building new alliances. Winning also creates a spirit of optimism, attracts investment and builds a better quality of life for citizens.
More information
Details
- Publication date
- 27 November 2024
- Author
- Directorate-General for Environment
